Former Doordarshan news reader Sarla Maheshwari passes away at 71

Sarla Maheshwari , one of the most recognisable faces of Indian television news during the 1980s and 1990s, passed away in Delhi on Thursday. She was 71 . The news was confirmed by her close friend and former co-anchor Shammi Narang .

Maheshwari served as a news reader with Doordarshan from 1976 to 2005 and was among the pioneers of television journalism in India , at a time when broadcasts were limited to a few hours a day. Her career spanned nearly three decades and witnessed the transition of television news from black-and-white to colour broadcast .

Announcing her demise on social media platforms X and Instagram, Shammi Narang remembered her as the “embodiment of grace and courtesy.” “Beautiful not just in appearance but even more so at heart, she had a remarkable command over language and was a reservoir of knowledge,” he wrote.

Maheshwari was widely admired for her clear diction, dignified presentation and gentle voice , which made her a trusted figure in Indian households for years.

According to reports, Maheshwari joined the public broadcaster after completing her PhD at Delhi University .

Paying tribute, Doordarshan National said she carved a special place in the Indian news world with her precise pronunciation and composed on-screen presence . “Her simplicity and personality established deep trust in the hearts of viewers,” the broadcaster said in a post on X.

Her last rites were performed at Nigam Bodh Ghat in Delhi at 4 pm .